Fire and explosion destroy fish processing plant building in Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island

About 40 firefighters from several departments across Prince Edward Island rushed to Murray Harbor on Friday afternoon to fight a blaze at the Machon’s Point Fishermen’s Co-op.

Murray Harbor Fire Department Deputy Chief Alan Glover told CBC News the explosion was caused by propane tanks in the machine shop and ice making plant.

No one was injured, Glover said.

He said the department received a call about the fire at 3:30 p.m. AT and called for help from the Belfast, Montague and Murray River Fire Departments.

The building was completely submerged when they arrived, Glover said. Then the flames reached certain propane tanks stored inside.

« There was an explosion that we heard from the campground. It was around 3:50 p.m., » said Rebecca Pineau, who is staying at nearby Ocean Acres campground.

Locals say they could see smoke for miles.

Electricity was cut in nearby communities as crews battled the blaze. Maritime Electric was reporting 1,356 homes without power as of 5.10 p.m., but soon after the number was reduced to 15.

Area MP Lawrence MacAulay tweeted his sympathy for workers at the plant as well as the fishing boats that land their catch there.

As of 6 p.m., firefighters continued to hose down the ruins and use heavy equipment to tear down what was left of the building.

The company was founded in 1987. In high season, 45 people work in the establishment.